Latest News on the future of Morse Code
Morse
code at 5wpm is now just one of five possible
assessments you can do to work
for your ZS licence. This change was brought about by amendments made to
the Radio Regulations. Click here
to read more.
Morse Code Exam
In order to upgrade from a "ZR" to a
"ZS" call sign, South African radio amateurs are still required
to pass a Morse code examination.
This examination can be done with any of the Morse code examiners listed here.
The Morse Code test
Costs: The Morse code test is conducted by the SARL free of charge. The only cost
to the candidate is R50.00 ( Fifty Rand ) for the CW
certificates. This cost is carried by the
SARL if the candidate is an SARL member.
Morse code requirements: The student
must be able to send and receive Morse code at not less than the required
speed according to the class of licence for which he / she is being
tested for.
Speed requirements: All students must be able to send and receive
Morse code in plain language and with numerals 0 to 9. Punctuation is not
required. the following speeds are applicable to the licence stated:
Class A Licence (ZS) : 5 words per minute
The Test may only be taken under the
control of an examiner AND in the presence of a moderator, both of whom
have been appointed by the South African Radio League in conjunction with
ICASA. At every test the examiner and moderator must be personally
present. Group testing may be conducted on condition that all the test
requirements are adhered to.
The Receiving test 5 wpm: This test will consist of a group of 75
characters, which shall include at least 2 numerals. Plain language shall
be used. The test will be conducted in machine code over a period of no
less than 3 ( three ) minutes. A maximum of 3 ( three ) errors as well as
3 ( three ) corrections are allowed.
The examiner is requested to use machine generated Morse code in the test.
The student must record his / her answers on the prescribed and numbered
examination form available from the SARL office. No other form may be
used.
The Sending Test: 'The Examiner must test the sending ability of the Student for a period of not less than 3 (three)
minutes. Students may correct errors sent using the standard method of Morse Code error
correction. Only, 3 (three) errors and 3 ( three ) corrections are
allowed.
The Student is required to use hand sent Morse code during the Test.
Documentation to be completed with the examiner
The Student must furnish his full names and address and Identity Number on the Prescribed
Form. He must sign the Prescribed Form stating that he has carried out the
Test in the Prescribed manner.
The Examiner and Moderator shall BOTH check the entries on the Form to see that they are
correctly completed and then BOTH the Examiner and the Moderator must sign the Prescribed
Form with a Declaration that the Test was conducted in the manner prescribed.
The Test on the Prescribed Numbered Form shall be posted by the Examiner immediately after the
test to:
The Secretary
South African Radio League
P-O-Box 1721
Strubensvallei.
1723
Note: Non-Members need to send the
prescribed CW certificate fee as well.
On receipt by the SARL, a CW Certificate will be issued to the candidate
once all the requirements have been met.
Applying for your Licence.
At this stage there are two routes you can take. Either you can apply to
ICASA for your licence yourself, or if you are a SARL member you are welcome
to make use of the SARL's licensing service.
The Do It Yourself method
Once your Morse code exam has been
moderated the SARL will post to the candidate a CW certificate in
duplicate. The candidate may then contact ICASA, whom will require the Original
Certificate, to conclude their licence application.
The candidate should retain the Copy of the Certificate for his/her records.
Using the SARL Licensing service ( Members
Only, click here to join the
SARL )
Successful candidates wishing to use the SARL
Licensing service need to send the following to the SARL:
- A copy of your existing licence as well as your ID
book.
- Original Morse code certificate. ( If you
are sending your licence application at the same time as your test form,
the SARL will have your certificate. A copy will be sent to your for
your records. )
- Complete an ICASA radio licence application. (
Available from ICASA offices, radio dealers and on request from the SARL
Office. )
- Choose three call sign options. ( Check in the callbook
if your choices are available. )
- Send all these items to the SARL offices along with the
admin fee of R50.
ICASA have increased their fees structure effective
28 July 2003, the SARL is in the process of calculating the impact of this
on licence upgrades. A new fee will be announced shortly.
Once the office administrator has all these documents, the
administrator will get the paperwork processed with ICASA and confirm your
new call sign with them. Once your call sign has been approved by ICASA the
office administrator will contact you with your new call sign and you will be able
to start using that call sign immediately. Please ignore any account from
ICASA regarding your change of call sign as this will be paid by the SARL out
of your admin fee. You will only have to pay your annual renewal from now
on.
TIP: Why not get all your paperwork ready before doing the test and if you
pass send it all off together. This could mean that you get on the air with
your new ZS call sign in around 48 hours! ( The SARL route should not take
longer than 7 days on the outside depending on ICASA. )
